Boston Celtics: Jaylen Brown on torrid stretch as playoffs near

The glow and luster of the domination from the Boston Celtics has dulled in recent weeks but Jaylen Brown continues to shine.

Brown has been on a torrid stretch, doing all he can despite Boston’s struggles. In finding another way to lose, this time falling to the Utah Jazz, the Celtics continued to show a propensity for not getting things done against teams they should defeat.

These losses are attributed to a variety reasons and, to a certain extent, fall on the shoulders of Jayson Tatum and Brown. But it’s a supporting cast that continues to go through cold stretches, or are in and out of the lineup.

Despite the issues, Brown has had a fine season and a nice March, including a recent five-game stretch where he upped the ante.

Jaylen Brown’s March for Boston Celtics

Brown’s seventh season has been an outstanding one. Continued growth has been impressive and Brown’s fine-tuning as the season progresses has been a joy to watch.

Part of a dynamic duo alongside Tatum, Brown is less of a sidekick and more of a 1b to Tatum’s 1a. Even then, the two are interchangeable in regards to leadership and of equal importance to this Celtics team.

Brown is enjoying career-bests in many categories this season, including points per game (26.7), field goal percentage (49 percent), and rebounds (6.9 per game). Though three-point percentage is down, Brown’s assists remain steady and his free throw percentage of 77.2 is the best of his career (though hitting that 80 mark would be nice).

In the month of March, Brown has upped his game. In averaging 27.7 points per game, Brown is doing so by shooting 50.9 percent from the field and improved percentage from deep (36.4), which is two points above his season average.

The last five games have been something else altogether. The stretch began with a 24-point, 7-assist effort in a victory against the Atlanta Hawks. Brown followed that up with a 43-point outing in a loss to the Houston Rockets.

He also added a double-double against the Timberwolves, notching 35 points and collecting 10 boards.

All told, during the last five games Brown is averaging 30.8 points and shot better than 50 percent from the field in four of the them.

Brown has four games of 30+ points in March and nothing would mean more than Brown continuing this confident, elevated play as the Celtics approach the final ten games of the regular season.

Boston Celtics upcoming week

Barring a complete meltdown, the Celtics should finish in the regular season among the top-three teams in the Eastern Conference.

Currently, they have a four-game advantage over the no. 4 seed Cleveland Cavaliers. And the Celtics are percentage points behind the Philadelphia 76ers, with both teams trailing by two games to the top-seed Milwaukee Bucks.

Putting their best foot forward here on out is absolutely needed, especially with days off over the next seven days. On the agenda is three teams the Celtics need — and should — defeat.

Up first is the final game of a current road trip, taking on the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday (3/21). The teams last met in late-November, with Boston picking up a 122-104 victory. Tatum had 30 points in that game, with Brown adding 25.

On Friday (3/24), the Celtics host the bothersome Indiana Pacers. Boston has had some trouble with the Pacers the last couple of season, including 1-1 in 2022-23.

The Celtics lost by five in December, with Tatum scoring 41 points. Brown struggled in that game, finishing with 19 points on 8-23 shooting.

Brown bounced back in an overtime win against the Pacers in February. He finished with 30 points and 11 rebounds, with Tatum nearly going for a triple-double with 31 points, 12 rebounds, and 7 assists.

This upcoming week finishes up with a home game against the San Antonio Spurs on 3/26, who the Celtics defeated in January by five points.

Looming on the horizon are road games against the Sixers and Bucks, so getting the ship righted this week is a must. It’s past time for the Celtics to get back to good, and deliver the consistency and victories that had fans gushing with joy in the season’s first three months.